Jeremiah 9 Devotional

Boasting in Knowing Him

“But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.”Jeremiah 9:24 (BSB)

Jeremiah longs for endless tears so he could weep day and night for his people (9:1), even as he wishes he could get away from their lies (9:2-3). The grief is not only the prophet's. God himself asks what else he can do for his people but refine them (9:7), and he calls for the mourning women to lead the land in lament (9:17-18).

Then, amid all this loss, God names what is worth boasting in. Not wisdom, strength, or riches, the very things about to fail Jerusalem (9:23). The one thing worth glorying in is knowing the LORD himself, who shows faithful love, justice, and righteousness on the earth and takes delight in them (9:24). Paul draws on this when he tells the Corinthians that their only boast should be the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:31). Everything else you might lean on can be lost in a day. Knowing God is the one treasure that does not crumble, and he is glad to be known.

To think about: Which of the three, wisdom, strength, or riches, do you lean on most, and what would it look like to boast in knowing God instead?